Science Park's birthday bonus

THE appliance of science has seen one of Manchester's most successful property enterprises grow. Manchester Science Park is celebrating its 21st birthday by extending its services across new sites, including some of the city's most important areas of regeneration.

THE appliance of science has seen one of Manchester's most successful property enterprises grow. Manchester Science Park is celebrating its 21st birthday by extending its services across new sites, including some of the city's most important areas of regeneration.

The company says it hopes its new facilities will mean the creation of more dynamic businesses to support a strong economic base in key regeneration areas such as east Manchester.

Manchester Science Park started operations in 1984 with Enterprise House, the Park's first "incubator" business premises. Today the science park manages buildings on two sites close to the University of Manchester which are home to around 80 companies.

Now the park is expanding. In September this year it will branch out into One Central Park in east Manchester, an é18m joint venture between Manchester's three universities, MANCAT and the science park.

The science park will provide an additional 10,000 sq ft of accommodation for IT-based start-up companies. Tenants at One Central Park will specifically benefit from operating alongside researchers, graduates, students and other developing companies which will all be based in the new building.

It is the aim of One Central Park to act as an economic catalyst stimulating the creation of jobs, new investment and opportunities in the East Manchester community.

Science Park chief executive Jane Davies said: "MSP is experienced in providing the necessary environment, facilities and support to maximise scientific innovation and commercial success; by expanding this expertise into new locations we can continue to support regeneration in the City."

The park is an equal partnership between the City of Manchester, its universities and private sector companies. Current commercial shareholders include 3i, NatWest, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Granada TV and Pochin.

An internationally recognised centre for start-up companies in the technology sector, Manchester Science Park has grown considerably over the last twenty years. Today the original 20,000 sq ft of office and laboratory space adjacent to Manchester University now houses 85 companies and is 95 per cent full. The growth of MSP over the past 20 years has specifically contributed to the regeneration of the neighbouring Hulme area.

In 2004 MSP extended its portfolio by bringing 75,101 sq ft of space at Technopark in Hulme under its wing.